Chapter 27

27

1885

Matthew knocked on Lillian's door, feeling so happy he could hardly keep from singing. In one hand, he held a bouquet of red roses, and in the other, a large bag of girls' clothing. Nancy and Jane, the two young girls who had worked with Ellen at the Golden Swan, stood with him on the front steps.

Nancy looked up at the house with a wide-eyed gaze. "This is a real nice place."

Matthew grinned. "Yes, and it's even nicer inside."

Jane brushed a lock of blond hair over her shoulder. "Ellen lives here?"

"That's right, and I'm sure she's going to be very happy to see you."

The door opened, and Stanford looked out. His gaze dropped to the two girls. Surprise flashed in his eyes, then he resumed his formal expression. "Good morning, Mr. McGivern."

"Morning, Stanford. We'd like to see Mrs. Freemont."

"Of course, sir. Please come in." He pulled the door open wider.

Matthew and the girls walked into the entry hall, and both girls looked around with amazed expressions.

"Mrs. Freemont is on the terrace. If you'll follow me." Stan ford led the way through the sitting room and dining room and stopped at the French doors. "Mr. McGivern and ... two young ladies," he announced.

Lillian turned with a welcoming smile. "Matthew, please join us."

He stepped out, followed by Nancy and Jane.

Ellen squealed, then hopped up from her chair and ran toward the girls, pulling them into a tight hug.

Lillian and Serena exchanged delighted looks.

Ellen's eyes shone. "These are my friends." She slipped an arm around each girl. "This is Nancy and Jane."

Serena crossed toward them. "Welcome, girls. We're glad you've come."

Lillian joined her. "Yes, we're very happy to see you at last."

Ellen turned to Jane. "This is Miss Lillian and Miss Serena. They're ever so nice. I know you'll like them." She looked up at Lillian. "May I show them around the house?"

Lillian smiled. "Yes. But first, why don't you introduce them to the other girls?"

Ellen nodded and led her friends across the terrace to meet Cathy, Daisy, and Mary. When she finished introductions, Serena ushered all six girls into the house, and their cheerful chatter faded as they passed through the dining room.

Matthew held out the bouquet of roses. "These are for you."

Lillian accepted them with a sweet smile. "Thank you, Matthew. They're beautiful." She raised the roses to her nose. "And they have a lovely fragrance."

He held out the bag. "Reverend Howell sent these clothes for the girls."

Lillian set the flowers on the table and peeked in the bag. "That was very kind." She glanced toward the door. "How did you manage to get the girls out of the Golden Swan?"

"Reverend Howell and I have been to the police station twice, appealing for their release. Each time, they told us they were working on it. This morning, we finally received word we could come and collect them at the station."

"I'm sure the righteous uproar from your articles prompted them to follow through and do their duty."

He dipped his head, humbled by her words. She always built him up and offered such encouraging words. It was one of her many fine qualities he appreciated. "I'm thankful they're free." He glanced toward the house. "There will be some papers to sign so you can become their legal guardian. Reverend Howell will bring those by when they're ready."

She nodded. "I'm so glad. We've been praying for them every night, usually at Ellen's prompting."

"Caring for six girls will be a big responsibility."

"True, but it's such an important task." She gazed toward the garden for a moment, then looked back at him. "I certainly wouldn't attempt it without Serena, Mrs. Pringle, and Bessie."

"You're giving them a chance for a new life." He reached for her hand. "I admire you, Lillian. I don't know anyone else who would open their home and help these girls recover from all they've been through."

"So, you don't mind?"

"Mind? Why would I mind?"

She hesitated. "I intend to keep my commitment to care for the girls. And if you and I continue on the path we're on now, that would mean..." She lifted her lashes and looked up at him.

"That would mean I might have a role in their lives one day."

Her cheeks flushed. "Is that something you would consider?"

He laughed softly. "Lillian Freemont, are you proposing to me?"

She gasped. "No! I just—I just want to know how you feel about—"

He lifted his finger and touched her lips. "I understand what you're saying, and I'm fully on board with the idea of partnering with you to guide and raise these girls."

"You are?" She gazed up at him with such an endearing expression it made his heart catch.

"Yes, I am." He drew her closer and wrapped his arms around her. "I love you, Lillian."

She leaned back just enough so their gazes could meet. Sweet sincerity glowed in her luminous brown eyes as she looked up at him. "And I love you, Matthew."

A wave of joy washed over him, and he leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Her loving response filled him with delight. Lillian Freemont was a valuable treasure, and he would do everything in his power to care for her and cherish her all the days of his life.

Three months later, Lillian totaled the cost of their monthly bills and released a resigned sigh. Feeding and clothing six girls, Serena, and herself, as well as paying their staff, had increased her expenses more than she'd expected. She was thankful the police had finally returned the money Matthew had given Mr. Parker. Those funds, along with the investments she had made after inheriting her late husband's shipping business, were needed now, and she would put them to good use.

Last week, Matthew had proposed after a candlelight dinner, with Serena and the girls present. Her heart warmed at the precious memory. Just thinking of him and the future they would share eased her concerns. Next June, he would come and live with them, help with the parenting responsibilities, and add his salary from the Gazette to help cover some of the needs of their family. And that was what they were becoming—a family.

The girls had settled into a good routine. Lessons, reading aloud, sewing, prayers, songs, games, and walks to the park filled their days. Soon, some of them would begin attending school.

On a quiet evening two weeks after Mary Alice had arrived, Serena took her out to the terrace and explained their true connection. Mary Alice had sent her a shy smile and said the first time she saw Matthew at the Lady's Slipper, he'd told her he knew her aunt and mum. She'd wondered what he'd meant and who they might be. Serena hugged her then, and Mary Alice had wrapped her arms around her mum's neck and clung to her for a long time.

Lillian smiled at the memory. Since that day, Serena and Mary Alice's connection had grown even stronger, and that brought much joy to Lillian's heart.

Serena and Mary Alice walked into the library and crossed toward the desk where Lillian was seated. Serena placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder. "Mary Alice has written something, and I wanted her to read it to you."

Lillian smiled and nodded to her niece. "I'd love to hear it."

Mary Alice returned a shy smile and looked down at her paper. "‘I always wanted a sister, but I never had one, until I came home to live with my mother and my aunt, and they gave me five sisters.'"

Lillian and Serena exchanged heartfelt looks.

"‘These girls were not born into our family,'" Mary Alice continued, "‘but they live with us, and we love each other just like we were born to the same mum and dad. Sometimes we fuss, but that doesn't last long. Soon we are playing together and doing our lessons just like we never said a cross word. I am glad I have sisters.'"

Serena bit her lip, obviously touched by what her daughter had written.

"‘I hope I can always live with my sisters and my mum and my aunt. I don't want to go anywhere else. This is home for me, and I am glad.'" Mary Alice looked up at Lillian with an expectant expression.

"That is excellent writing. I can tell you're a gifted storyteller. Perhaps one day you'll write a book."

A look of wonder filled Mary Alice's face. "Do you really think I could write a book?"

Lillian nodded. "Of course. As you continue your studies, you can develop the skills you need to become a good writer. And I'm sure Matthew would be glad to help. He's a very skilled writer."

Mary Alice hugged her paper to her chest. "I'm going to tell Cathy. Wait until she hears I am going to write a book." She spun and dashed out of the room.

Serena laughed as she watched her go, joy and pride filling her expression. "She has really bloomed, hasn't she?"

"Yes, it's been wonderful to see how much she's changed in just a few months."

"She does seem to have a gift with words. Her studies come so easily to her. She would spend all day with her nose in a book if I didn't call her away to do something else."

"I can't wait to see where that gift takes her." Lillian thought of each girl who had come into their care. "They all have unique talents and interests. The future is an open door for them now."

"Yes, it is—thanks to you," Serena added.

Lillian rose and came around her desk. "We both have an important role in their lives. I could never do this without you, and I wouldn't want to. I'm so glad you came home."

"So am I." Serena reached for Lillian and pulled her close for a hug. "The Lord has His hand of blessing on us and our dear girls. He'll guide us through the days to come."

Lillian lifted her misty gaze and looked into her sister's eyes. "Yes, I'm sure He will."